New U.S. Tariffs Take Effect: Advantage for Turkey
Turkey announced that the new U.S. tariffs came into force today, August 1, 2025, with the average tariff rate for Turkey remaining below 10%. While tariffs for some countries have risen to 50%, Turkey is among those with the lowest rates. Reports indicate that Washington has classified Turkey as a “balanced trade partner.”
Some of Turkey’s strategic products, such as copper pipes and cables, are subject to a separate 15% tariff. However, since the same goods from other countries face a 50% tariff, this gives Turkey a competitive advantage.
Economic analyses suggest that the 15% rate on certain Turkish products does not align with the U.S.’s official tariff formula, which is based on trade balance. Turkish economists have calculated that, according to the U.S. formula, the appropriate rate for Turkey should be 4.2%. This means the current tariff is more than three times higher (357% higher) than what the U.S. formula would dictate.
The EU, under the same formula, would have faced a 19.5% tariff but is currently trading at a 15% rate.
Turkish officials emphasized that technical negotiations with the U.S. are ongoing to adjust tariffs in the steel, copper, and automotive sectors. Ankara is also seeking new concessions in textiles and apparel. Turkey’s primary goal is said to be establishing a stable and predictable framework for bilateral trade relations.
Experts point to two key factors behind the tariff differences: possible structural discrimination in the U.S. trade system and the influence of Turkey’s geopolitical position on Washington’s decisions.
Turkish exporters plan to leverage this relative advantage. However, uncertainty over U.S. calculation criteria and the possibility of unilateral tariff changes remain major challenges in bilateral trade relations.
